Domestic consumption of cotton estimated to fall to 307 lakh bales

27-May-2025 12:15 PM

Mumbai. The Cotton Association of India (CAI), a leading trade body, has estimated that total domestic consumption of cotton during the current marketing season (October-September) 2024-25 will fall to 307 lakh bales.

This is 2 percent lower than the consumption in the 2023-24 season and 8 lakh bales less than the earlier estimate of 315 lakh bales. One bale of cotton weighs 170 kg.

According to the association, textile mills are increasingly turning to man-made fibers such as viscose and polyester instead of cotton this year. During the 2023-24 season, domestic consumption stood at 313 lakh bales.

The CAI president stated that the reduction in cotton consumption is primarily due to a shift toward synthetic fibers by spinning units, particularly in South India. Additionally, a severe shortage of workers has slowed down operations in spinning mills, further reducing cotton usage.

Spinning mills are reportedly earning a higher return of around 98 percent from viscose, compared to only 73-75 percent from cotton, which also leaves more residue. The association has revised its domestic cotton production estimate for the 2024-25 season downward by 4 lakh bales, bringing it to 291.35 lakh bales.

By the end of April 2025, total cotton supply is expected to reach 325.89 lakh bales, which includes 268.20 lakh bales from pressing, 27.50 lakh bales from imports, and 30.19 lakh bales from carryover stock.

During the same period, domestic consumption was 185 lakh bales, exports were 10 lakh bales, and 130.89 lakh bales remained in special stock as of April 30.

Of this, cotton textile mills held 35 lakh bales, while the remaining 95.89 lakh bales were with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), Maharashtra Federation, and traders or stockists. This figure also includes cotton that has been sold but not yet delivered.